William webster watts



No. 610,506. Patented Sept. 6, I898. W. W WATTS.

BOOT TBEE.

(Application filed Nev. 15, 1897) (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE IVATTS PATENTS COMPANY, LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

BOOT-TREE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,506, dated September 6, 1898.

Application filed November 15, 1897. Serial No. 658,610. (No model.) Patented in England September 22,1891,N0. 16,059.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, WILLIAM WEBSTER WATTS, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Birmingham, in the county of WVarwick, England, have invented an Improved Adjustable Apparatus for Treeing, Stretching, or Holding Boots or Shoes, (which has been patented in Great Britain, dated September 22, 1891, No. 16,059,) of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to produce an improved apparatus for treeing,,stretch ing, or holding boots or shoes whereby the shape of same is neatly and elegantly preserved and the operation of cleaning or polishing rendered easy and expeditious.

In carrying my invention into effect I take a piece of wood or other suitable material of suitable length and section, which for convenience I call a tongue, one end of which is rounded off, while the other end is slightly beveled upward and provided with a threaded aperture through which is passed a suitable screw-rod. One end of this screw-rod is provided with a suitable handle, While the other end abuts against or enters a block of wood or other suitable material of peculiar shape called the heel-block.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents the apparatus separately, and Fig. 2 its application to a boot; Fig. 3, the end of the screw-rod, as presently described.

A is the tongue, through the heel or back end of which passes the screw-rod B. The end of this screw-rod is dovetailed and has a saw-cut E, as shown at Fig. 3, which permits of its being sprung into a corresponding dovetailed recess formed in the heel-block C. By this means the block is held on the screwrod sufficiently secure and remains stationary while the screw-rod is rotated. This arrangement also enables the screw-rod to be readily withdrawn from the tongue, and thus facilitates the packing and portability of the apparatus. The shape of heel-block I prefer consists of a rounded ball with a flattened end or ends, as shown.

The action of the apparatus is as follows:

stretched, or held with its free end directed toward the toe. The screw-rod is then rotated so as to drive the heel-block against heel of boot or shoe. This causes the tongue to rise against upper and sides and press forward against the toe, thereby straightening the sole, removing wrinkles, and eifectually restoring the shape, while at the same time affording a ready and convenient means for holding the boot or shoe in a suitable position during the operation of cleaning or polishing. When used for this latter purpose, the tongue may be prolonged at its heel end, as indicated by the dotted extension D, Fig. 1, so that the device can be attached to any suitable support.

It is obvious that the tongue may be operated by means of a lever or cam or a ratchet arrangement instead of the screw described, the principle of the invention being the insertion of the tongue-piece in a boot or shoe and the application of means to force same against the upper and sides, as well as toward the toe, thereby accomplishing the objects in view.

Having fully described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent An apparatus for treeing, stretching or holding boots and shoes, consisting of the tongue A, having a toe-engaging portion and pro vided at its heel or back end with a screwthreaded opening, the screw-rod B engaging said opening and having its lower end dove tailed and provided with a saw-cut, and the heel-block 0 provided with a dovetailed re- 0 WVILLIAM W'EBSTER WATTS.

Witnesses:

J. S. BLANOKENSEE, Enwn. A. TATE. 

